This review will appear at All About Romance closer to the release date.

Always Only You (Bergman Brothers #2)
Chloe Liese
August 4, 2020, CR/#ownvoices
Self-pubbed, 480 pages, Amazon ASIN B08BZNQN7X
Sensuality: Warm
Grade: B

I gave Always Only You a B at All About Romance .

I’ll be honest, I knew very little about this book when I requested it. I saw the lovely cartoon cover featuring a hockey player (I like them, btw), read the blurb, crossed my fingers and hoped for the best. Friends, the risk paid off. I mostly enjoyed Always Only You, the second novel in the Bergman Brothers series, and I have every intention of backtracking and reading the first book in the series, too. The author, recently diagnosed on the autism spectrum, has crafted an #ownvoices story that’s romantic, inspirational and educational. The novel features an autistic heroine trying – and mostly succeeding – at the game of life, and a virgin cinnamon roll hero who hopes to one day earn her love. Always Only You is a funny, sexy, low-angst romance focused almost entirely on the relationship between its two principal characters, and I liked it very much.

Francesca – Frankie – Zeferino is the In-Game Social Media Coordinator for the Los Angeles Kings hockey franchise. She’s great at her job, and despite her clubhouse nickname “Frank the Crank,” she’s a softie who cares about the team, its players, and their reputations. Being tough is part of her job, and it’s easier for her if the players assume she’s a hard ass all the time. She dresses the part, too – unrelenting black and white clothing, black sneakers, and a silver walking cane she refers to as the Elder Wand (she needs it because her rheumatoid arthritis sometimes makes it difficult for her to get around).

The whole look is very Wednesday Adams, with a similar and intended repelling effect. People leave me alone. Which is how I like it.

But Frankie has a big secret. She’s autistic and her clothing and attitude are part of the armor that helps her get through days that are physically and mentally challenging and exhausting. Fortunately, one player makes her job easier, Søren – Ren – Bergman, the sunshine to her rain cloud.

Handsome, fit, kind, generous and good, Ren is a ginger haired dreamboat. He prefers book club meetings to parties – as evidenced by his membership in an ultra-secret Shakespeare book club – he’s always willing to lend his time and smile to a good cause, and he never seems to have a bad day. He’s also a terrific hockey player and his teammates love him. Frankie knows he’s off limits, but can’t seem to stop noticing him whenever he’s around. And he’s around a lot. Unbeknownst to Frankie, Ren purposefully seeks her out so he can spend time with her. Ren sees the softer, sweeter side that Frankie thinks she keeps hidden, and since the moment he met her three years earlier, he’s wanted her. But therein lies the rub. Because they work together, Frankie is forbidden. For three years, Ren has waited, wanting Frankie and hoping for his chance – and when Always Only You gets underway, he finally gets it. After someone breaks into her house, Frankie has to temporarily move out. Ren offers her a place to stay, and then discovers Frankie is making plans to leave the team. An ‘accidental’ kiss convinces him it’s time to make his move, and he gets to work winning Frankie over. Forced proximity, as everyone in Romancelandia already knows, wreaks havoc on ‘platonic’ friendships between people secretly in lust with each other.

Spoiler alert: Close proximity - LIVING TOGETHER! - changes everything.

Always Only You is a lovely ode to the opposites attract trope, and Ren and Frankie fall fast and hard for each other. Frankie grew up feeling like a burden or a problem for her family to deal with, and she moved across the country to break free of their smothering love. Fiercely independent, strong, and tough, Frankie doesn’t need or want someone to fight her battles for her, or to treat her with kid gloves. She’s also avoided romantic entanglements after watching past boyfriends flee the moment she revealed any sort of weakness, and she doesn’t want Ren to break her heart, too. She falls for him, but tries to keep him at a distance. Ren wants to protect and support Frankie, and struggles to prove to her that she isn’t a burden or problem he’s trying to solve. Raised in a big family and exposed to lots of different personalities and temperaments, very little throws Ren off his game – on the ice or off it. When Frankie confesses she’s autistic, Ren is surprised – but not for the reason Frankie imagines – he just can’t believe he didn’t guess it on his own. His response:

“my little sister is on the spectrum. So, while everyone’s unique, and I’m no expert, I love someone who’s autistic. And I hope you know I’m a safe place for you to be you,”

is yet another reason why Ren is nearly irresistible.

Always Only You doesn’t feature a secondary plot (although the author introduces a villainous character at the start and then largely forgets about him); the evolving romance between Ren and Frankie IS the story. Mostly this works – when these two are figuring out how to love each other, the story shines. The characterization of both principal characters is excellent, although frankly Ms. Liese, Ren is too good to be true. Discovering that super hot and sexy Ren was an adorkable nerd in high school, is still a virgin, swears like a Shakespearean sailor, and perfectly intuits how to give a woman an orgasm despite a seeming lack of experience all feels a bit like gilding the lily. Leading men can have flaws and still be great partners! Frankie is similarly well-realized, and Ms. Liese does a terrific job showing readers the effects of RA and autism on Frankie’s everyday life, although she occasionally grows pedantic. It sometimes feels like the story is less about Frankie specifically, and more like a TED talk about autism. Regardless, Frankie – despite the challenges she faces – is formidable and extremely likeable. It’s easy to see why Ren falls for her.

While I mostly liked the book, the author has some peculiar idiosyncrasies. Whenever Frankie is surprised by something Ren-related, her expressions are completely bizarre: Mary Mother of Jesus Riding on a Donkey (after spotting Ren’s hair in the moonlight); Preschool Jesus with a Carpentry Awl (after Ren licks ketchup off his thumb); Jesus Tossing Tables in the Temple (when Ren appears wearing fitted joggers); or Jesus Skipping through the Resurrection Garden (when Ren scowls at a bad driver) - and that's not even all of them! I don’t know if the author does this in real life or… honestly, I simply don’t know. It’s just weird. And while Ms. Liese is a self-described Harry Potter fan and makes Frankie one, too, the explicit references to Frankie’s wet or soaked Harry Potter themed panties are just plain yuck. Why Ms. Liese? Why?!

Finally, one last quibble. If you aren't a hocky fan IRL, you probably won't notice these issues: Ren is a hockey player, but there isn’t a ton of hockey in this story, and a few of the game references (made the lamp glow red instead of ‘lit the lamp,’ and a chest pump in lieu of a group hug after a score) are just plain wrong. These errors...

Read the rest of this review at: All About Romance.

Chloe Liese does it again! I first fell in love with the Bergman family in "Only When It's Us" about college classmates Willa and Ryder. Now it's brother Ren's turn to have a chance at love. Always Only You has many layers, just like the main characters. This is an "own voices" novel with the author taking readers along as a woman with autism and chronic pain navigates her life, and how a Shakespeare loving professional hockey player might just fit into it.

Always Only You felt fresh, current, and reads like a movie. Chloe includes a song at the beginning of each chapter resulting in an EPIC playlist. I had the best intentions to listen to each song before diving into the chapter, but I couldn't put the book down long enough to fire up Spotify!

10/10 would recommend! Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC of this book provided in exchange of my honest opinion.

Just finished this book wanting a Ren Bergman for me!

Anyways, I loved everything, from beginning to end! Loved Frankie's sense of humor (that sometimes remids me since I'm a bit grumpy too). Loved that she's a real independent woman and shows to everyone who tries to diminish her. Loved that she fell all the way with Ren, even though she was scared to envolve.

And what about Ren? My sweet cinnamon roll... Caring, a bit dorky and nerdy, lovely, sexy, charming... The full package! I loved his patience on waiting for Frankie because he KNEW she'd be worth it!!! Just a real unicorn!

Thanks so much Netgalley and Chloe for the opportunity to read this LOVELY story! And can't wait to see more stories about those Bergman.

This book was the best book I have read in a long time. It has charm, it had wit, it had slow burn, it had a sensitive man who loved and quoted Shakespeare, a neurodiverse lead female who was vastly independent and well written. This book was basically perfection! I just can’t say enough about it. Frankie and Ren are two of my most favorite characters and I already miss them. Chloe Liese is an incredible story teller and writes the most beautiful stories. Do yourself a favor and go buy this book now!

I have a new addiction , this was sooo. Good. Soo addicting soo nicely written
I want a Bergman men in my life
I accept the daddy
I loved this story Soren is my new fist rated book boyfriend
And Frankie what a wonderful different not Usual wonderful heroine
Beautiful story outstandingly written
5 well deserved stars

Gosh, I loved this book!⁣⁣⠀
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When I found out that 𝘼𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙊𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙔𝙤𝙪 is an #ownvoices sports romcom with a strong female lead and lovable, dorky (and sexy!) hockey player, I knew I needed to get my hands on it. And it did not disappoint! 🖤🏒⁣⁣⠀
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Synopsis ⁣⁣⠀
Frankie is the social media manager for the LA Knights. She also battles chronic pain and autism. Known as Frank the Crank, she’s a grumpy badass. Soren Bergman is a star on the hockey team with a gentle soul and a love for Shakespeare. The two must come to terms with their feelings for each other while keeping their relationship a secret from the team. ⁣⁣⠀
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I loved how Frankie and Soren’s relationship developed. Their bickering is endearing. Their fierce love is beautiful. And their attraction to each other is so so steamy. Full of Harry Potter and Shakespeare references, behind-the-scenes hockey life, and acknowledgment of disabilities, Chloe writes a powerful book that everyone should read. Thank you for your bravery, Chloe!⁣⁣⠀
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I also loved how every chapter comes with a recommended song that sets the tone for the chapter. What a cool idea! I would love to see more books adopt this idea. ⁣⁣⠀
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This book will be one of my favorites of 2020, and Chloe as one of my new favorite authors!⁣⁣⠀
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𝘼𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙊𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙔𝙤𝙪 is the second book in the Bergman Brothers series. They can be read as standalone books, but now I need to read the others because I love them so much! ⁣⁣⠀
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Thank you @netgalley for my partner copy. This book came out August 3, so grab it now!⁣⁣⠀

This lovely, romantic, funny, sweet book hooked me in RIGHT away and was absolutely adorable. I'd forgotten how much I like sports romances when they are done well. It was also impossible not to root for Frankie, who was so determined and independent. It is always beyond refreshing to read about a mature and gentlemanly male lead in a romance novel, especially one who is single but drives a Honda Odyssey in order to be able to drive other people around when need be ;)

This book was an #ownvoices read as the author is on the autism spectrum just like Frankie and the acknowledgements section was fascinating and heartfelt to read. Frankie also has rheumatoid arthritis and the approach taken to that aspect of her character felt very real and well done, in my opinion.

I can't wait to go back and read the first book in this series (they stand alone no problem but the first couple seems LOVELY too) and the next one next year!!! It's always a joy to find a new series like this to love.

How many books have you read the include an autistic character? Now how many of those were a romance/romcom? Let me answer that, not very many, if any!! From the first page I fell in love with both Frankie and Ren! They are just so dang relatable!! Yes this is a romcom but it is full of so many more IMPORTANT topics which are way to often left out of books! This book is full of love, heart, differences, and a whole lot of laughter! The story of how opposites attract and forbidden love.

Have you ever read a book that made you smile from start to finish? A story with characters that just made your heart feel...lighter?

If not, you should definitely read Always Only You by Chloe Liese.

The second book in the Bergman Brothers series, Always Only You follows Ren Bergman, a professional hockey player, and Frankie Zeferino, the team's social media coordinator. Ren has always had a crush on Frankie but he's shy and she's off-limits because they work together. Frankie, meanwhile, has sworn off love because she doesn't want to be disappointed when the other person eventually treats her as a burden.

This opposites attract, grumpy/sunshine sports romance with tons of heat and heart gave me what I didn't know I needed in a romance. Ren is the sweetest, bestest man and I love him so much. He's so devoted to Frankie but he's also super shy and nerdy and just...such a good guy which endeared him more to me.

From one grump to another, Frankie's cynicism is so relatable. But she actually has a reason for it because of how other people who loved her treated her in the past. Frankie is autistic and has arthritis, but she also doesn't want someone to hover over and smother her (which is so reasonable because, hello? She's gotten where she is on her own).

What I love most about this story, though, is how Frankie's arthritis and autism are central to the story and her characterization, but they weren't used as a plot device. These conditions influence a lot of her views, especially about love and committment, but they also don't define her. I also love how that's exactly how Ren treats her—he just loves her for her and he doesn't hesitate to show it. I love it when a man worships the ground his woman walks on.

Overall, Always Only You is funny and sexy and sweet and uplifting #OwnVoices read. An easy 5-star. I cannot wait to read about Aiden and Freya in the next book!

***ARC Provided by the Publisher***

2.5 Stars

I adored Frankie, I struggled with Ren. I loved how real Frankie felt, and I thought it was refreshing to have a heroine in a romance not the perfect size with the perfect career and hair that looks like she lives in a shampoo commercial. Frankie was real and she felt like a friend.

I think the issue that I had was while I thought Frankie was wonderful I never totally believed that Ren did, which matters in a romance. I want to feel the attraction and the connection between the characters and I want to believe that they feel it. I definitely believed that they were friends, and that Frankie was attracted to Ren, but I struggled to find Ren's connection to her. It was there in parts, and there were places where I found myself thinking "ah ha, here we go" but it fizzled out and it never really got me to the place where I really believed in them as a couple.

This was my first title by this author and I will definitely give her another chance, as I am hearing positive buzz about her writing and not all books work for every reviewer.

Overall, I didn't really enjoy this title and I am not able to recommend it.

I feel like author Chloe Elise needs more recognition, after reading the first book in this series I was pretty much hooked on this author and this series because the Bergman family is a big, loveable mess of a family. This #OwnVoices story features an autistic heroine (the author is on the spectrum) who also has rheumatoid arthritis and a professional hockey playing hero who has secretly wanted her for 3 years but given they both work for the same team they are as forbidden as Romeo and Juliet (and to understand that reference, you must read this book). She’s his team’s social media manager, but he was willing to wait however long it took for them to be together. Blending the perfect amount of sweet, sexiness, and emotion, author Chloe Elise’s Always Only You is a perfect romance.
I adored both of these characters from the start; the seemingly grumpy, aloof, but highly capable Francesca (Frankie) and the nerdy, perpetually always smiling Ren. They seemed like polar opposites, but that doesn’t stop the attraction between them or the fact that they can’t act on it, so they form a strange friendship that has them growing closer every day.
Frankie’s autism and rheumatoid arthritis doesn’t define her character, but it does present challenges for her every day. She has worked hard to find what helps her in her daily life and she sticks to it, she is determined to live her best life and not let her inflictions dictate her life. She has close friends who understand her, she has a dog that she adores, and while she lives across the country from her family she also knows that despite their hovering they love her. She has a quick wit and despite her hard exterior, she’s got a soft underbelly she only lets very few people see.
Ren….<sigh> …he’s a good guy hero and they are seriously my crack. He’s so even keel about everything. He’s got a nerdy side despite being a well respected and talented athlete. He’s a good listener, a good leader, and always tries to do the right thing. I freaking ADORED him and the way he was bound and determined to love Frankie.
I loved watching these two together with Ren breaking down Frankie’s walls, Frankie convincing Ren that she enjoyed all of his geeky parts, and them both realizing they were safe in the company of one another. While they had a few bumps in the road, it was all for the greater good.
I was so happy we once again got to spend time with the Bergman family and how easily they accepted Frankie into their fold and more importantly how she let them. It was great to see her be a mentor for Ren’s little sister, Ziggy and while I was a bit thrown off by what happened between Freya and Aiden (Freya being Ren’s older sister and Aiden her husband who had a pretty large supporting role in the first book), I trust Ms. Elise to attack their story with the upmost care she gives all her characters.
Always Only You held me captive from start to finish, the writing was crisp, the characters likeable, the romance intense and I am so happy to have found another family series to enjoy.

🍾 Happy release day to @chloe_liese for her newest release Always Only You!

2️⃣ I loved this second novel in the Bergman Bros series (you don't HAVE to read in order, but you'll know how book 1 turns out if you don't...). Our heroine, Frankie, is on the Austism spectrum, which makes this an #ownvoices story for our author Chloe! Frankie is basically a #belovedcurmudgeon, so you know I loved her.

🏒 Her counterpart, Ren Bergman is a redheaded bearded Viking of a hockey player, and dreamy AF.

🔥 Chloe builds sexual tension like no one else, so, be aware!!! (Insert mental image of me fanning myself and blushing). I put Chloe's books at a solid 90/100 on my open door scale!

Thanks to @netgalley for providing a review copy

#releaseday #netgalley #ireadromance #romance #romancereader #opendoorromance

5 Stars
I applaud this author and her work. Taking real-life concerns and making them part of a love story when many are left out usually. This story shows how life impacts all of us and the brave ones make it work.

Happy book birthday to Always Only You, the second installment in the Bergman Brothers series, by Chloe Liese. There's always a joke to be made about gingers but not in the case of Ren Bergman, swoon-worthy hockey star, Shakespeare nerd, and sunshine you wish you could bottle for a cloudy day. He's perfect for Francesca Zeferino, the team's beloved social media manager, who is a soft-boiled egg masquerading as a hard-boiled egg, but with good reason. Between her rheumatoid arthritis and her autism diagnosis, she's not sure if she could let anyone in. Can their burgeoning friendship ultimately lead to a happily ever after?

It is a quarantine filled with romance novels! I am not complaining, however, since I have read a few gems, including this one. First, this is an #OwnVoices story. The author herself has autism and arthritis and to have a character front and center battling both, and handled with sensitivity, I know that will mean a lot to people. The author's depiction of chronic pain hit close to home because my mother has been battling rheumatoid arthritis from about the same age as Frankie and it's awful. You're supposed to be in the prime of your life but you're battling this condition that is only visible to you; people don't always believe pain unless they can see it. I digress. I just really loved the writing and the characters, including the supporting cast and how supportive everybody was of each other.

The chemistry between the two leads felt easy and natural as it evolved. I definitely enjoy a slow burn romance every once in a while! There were a few things I was a little hesitant on, i.e., her staying with him so quickly. While I definitely would have done the same, the team might have felt more comfortable putting her up in a hotel, especially seeing as how she's still an employee. Ren was also a little too perfect for me and I didn't get the sense that he "changed" for Frankie the way she tried to be more vulnerable and open for him. I think that was the tough part of having him be so perfect, right? There weren't too many flaws to adjust.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon for an advanced reading copy. This book is available for purchase now! Meanwhile, I am going to travel backwards as I normally do and pick up the first one in the series.

What a delightful romance novel. A main character who has autism and an autoimmune disease but is still living a great professional life. A hot hockey ginger. Great banter, Great chemistry. Recommend to anyone who loves a good romance, positive and realistic disability representation and a well written novel. The author even has a Spotify playlist to go with it, a different song for each chapter. This is an Own Voices by the author, who has autism.
Synopsis: Ren is a nerdy star hockey player for the LA Kings. Frankie is the team's social media coordinator with autism and chronic pain. They have had eyes for each other from the beginning. They have great chemistry but dating among staff and players is forbidden. A great slow burn romance follows.

I've been waiting for this book to come out. I loved the first book but this second installment of Bergman Brothers series was everything I hoped it would be and more.

A slow burn, opposites-attract #ownvoices masterpiece. Basically, a unicorn of realistic romance, and honestly I would consider this a novel that speaks for those on the spectrum. Yes, everyone who's on the spectrum is different (I've got two autistic children, they're night and day). But I feel like by bringing in the youngest Bergman who has different sensory needs showcased that exact fact.

I love romances. But this one hit a bit different to see falling in love through Frankie's eyes. She reminds me a lot of my daughter. I read passages out loud to my husband and we both got a little choked up to see non-savant autistics portrayed in art.

Deserves 6 stars. Would recommend to a friend.

My biggest take away from this book is: the world needs more books like this.

The romance genre as a whole can be looked down upon by many people. Mocked and ridiculed by many because of preconceived notions of what these books are about. I think if more people were to read #ownvoice romance they might become more thoughtful of other people’s struggles without even realising it.

Most people will walk away from this book telling you Frankie was their hero and while she was absolutely mine too, I could go on for days about Ren. Ren Bergman was the ultimate book boyfriend. I mean he was a goddamn hockey player for a start! But he was also mature and kind and aware and vulnerable. And ginger!

Autism has been a part of my life for the past 5 years. Sometimes a small thought at the back of my mind, sometimes it’s at the forefront and it’s been back at the forefront for the past few months. This book did wonders for helping me understand, be more sympathetic and consider things I hadn’t even thought of before.

This can easily be read as a stand-alone but I would advise starting with Only When It’s Us, it’s another brilliant read showing a hulking Swedish giant and his vulnerability.

Always Only You

I absolutely loved the first book in the Bergman Brothers series so I knew I had to read the second installment. I don’t think my review can quite do this book justice so please just go find yourself a copy!

Ren is just so lovable. He’s perfectly in tune with Frankie’s needs. He doesn’t baby her but he’s always there at the right moment with the right words or slight touch she may need. The education on autism and chronic disease is amazing. You don’t always realize what it is like for a person with autism or chronic disease or both. Chloe does an amazing job at letting us know what it’s like and how we can better ourselves. This book is an amazing story (as is the first one). I love a book that can make me laugh AND make me think. The Bergman family is definitely a favorite of mine and I can’t wait for the next installment!

I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review. Thank you!

This is my first book read by Chloe Liese and I loved it. Always Only You in the second book the series Bergman Brothers but you can read this book as standalone. Always Only You is a wonderful romance with two beautiful characters Ren and Frankie.

I’ve loved her since the moment that I saw her. Somehow, inexplicably is true.

Ren Bergman is a hockey player who loved Frankie for years but he keeps his feelings to himself because she is the team’s social manager and he was professional for Frankie and the team. He respected her and her job. Ren is a wonderful man, a nerd, and Shakespeare’s fan and he doesn’t swear and he is always smiling. I love him because he is a great guy.

I can admit there are days that my life is hard. Autism is a lifelong reality that you’ll never quite catch the cues, follow the timing, see the world like a lot of people do. And sometimes that has isolating, frustrating, depressing reverberations.

Frankie is a fierce woman who has autism and chronic arthritis but she didn’t let these diagnoses to dictate her life. She has a job and her dog and she learned to live alone. She doesn’t want people around her to know about her autism because when they found out that she had autism she becomes a problem, not a person. I love Frankie because she is herself and she accepted that she is different than other people.

I love you, exactly as you are.

Ren was patient and sweet with Frankie and he proved her that he loved exactly as she is and for him, she is everything. He takes care of her but he let her be independent because he knows that for her, it’s important. I loved the relationship between Ren and Frankie. Always Only You is a beautiful story #ownvoices by an autistic author and I’m happy that I read this powerful story. Chloe Liese is a wonderful author and I want to read more books from this author. A perfect 5 stars read.

I had the absolute pleasure of meeting Ryder Bergman earlier this year, and I was gone instantly.

I honestly thought it was going to be one of those one offs where I couldn’t possibly enjoy another couple in this series as much as I did Ryder and Willa. Boy was I wrong.

Ren is all kinds of adorable, and I see way too much of myself in Frankie for comfort but boy do I want to punch whoever dare hurt her in the face.

This was a slow burn, with easy progression and so natural it felt unstoppable.

I cannot. wait. for more books in this series. My spidey senses are telling me I’m going to enjoy one Mr. Axel Bergman and Rooney finally figuring their stuff out - with trademark Liese humor.

This book kept me grinning from beginning to end.